Hurricanes Comeback Falls Short in Loss to Rebels
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes suffered their fifth-straight loss on Wednesday falling 4-3 to the Red Deer Rebels at the VisitLethbridge.com Arena.
Lethbridge opened a two-game homestand in search of ending a four-game losing streak as the ‘Canes entered with a 7-7-0-1 record in their previous 15 games at the VisitLethbridge.com Arena. It was a spirited first period which saw chances at both ends. Red Deer had an early look to open the scoring when Cameron Kuzma rattled a shot off the crossbar in the opening five minutes of play, but it stayed out keeping it scoreless. The Rebels generated some pressure on a power play, but the Hurricanes penalty kill – which entered killing at a 90-percent clip over their last seven games – earned the kill. Lethbridge had a power play of their own and Owen Berge had the best look but was denied by Matthew Kondro in the Rebels crease as the game was scoreless after twenty minutes of play. The Hurricanes outshot the Rebels 7-6 in the first period.
The Hurricanes opened the second period on a power play after an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was issued to Jiri Kamas at the end of the first period for shooting a puck on goal after the buzzer. Lethbridge struck in the opening minute on the power play when Easton Daneault tucked home his seventh goal of the season to make it 1-0; Kayden Longley and Kyle Heger earned the assists on the goal which gave the Hurricanes their first lead in a game since December 28th. The lead, however, was short-lived as Red Deer pulled even less than three minutes later when Matej Mikes redirected home his fifth of the year to tie the game 3:11 into the period. The Rebels took their first lead at the 13:35 mark when Landon MacSwain had a point shot deflect off his body and into the net to make it 2-1 with a power play goal. Red Deer added another power play tally with 3:41 left in the period as Poul Andersen had a puck deflect off his shoulder and into the net to make it a 3-1 Rebels lead after forty minutes of play. Red Deer peppered Lethbridge in the middle frame outshooting the Hurricanes 21-8.
In the third period, the Hurricanes pulled to within a goal at the 9:07 mark when Tyden Lafournaise buried his seventh goal of the season – and fourth in the last six games – to make it a 3-2 game; Owen Berge and Grady Pichette picked up the assists on the goal. Just over a minute later, the Rebels restored their two-goal lead when Cameron Kuzma buried a one-timer passed Koen Cleaver to give Red Deer a 4-2 lead; Andersen and Kalder Varga were credited with the helpers on the goal. Lethbridge pulled the goaltender late in the period with a power play and struck while six-on-four as Kade Duell tapped home a loose puck in front of the net for his 11th goal to make it a one-goal game again with 1:34 remaining in regulation; Daneault picked up the lone assist on the goal. Lethbridge pulled the goaltender again in the final minute but were unable to find an equalizing goal as they fell 4-3 to the Rebels. Shots were even 10-10- in the third period.
The Hurricanes were outshot 37-25 by the Rebels. Lethbridge went 2/4 on the power play while Red Deer was 2/3 with the extra man.
Three stars of the game were:
1) Rebels – #11 Poul Andersen (1 goal, 1 assist)
2) Rebels – #17 Matus Lisy (2 assists)
3) ‘Canes – #30 Koen Cleaver (33-saves)
The loss for the Hurricanes was their fifth-straight defeat as their home record slipped to 7-8-0-1 in their last 16 games at the VisitLethbridge.com Arena. Lethbridge’s home record fell to 7-13-0-1 on the season as their overall record slipped to 12-30-0-1 on the season. The ‘Canes fell to 1-4-0-0 against the Rebels this season while slipping to 4-15-0-0 against Central Division opponents.
Lethbridge will welcome the Prince Albert Raiders on Friday at the 7:00pm in the final of a two-game homestand at the VisitLethbridge.com Arena before visiting the Rebels for the rematch on Saturday at 6:00pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased by visiting the VisitLethbridge.com Arena Ticket Centre, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or online at www.visitlethbridgearena.
